Method and apparatus for performing analog-to-digital conversion on multiple input signals

ABSTRACT

A method, computer-readable storage medium, and signal processing apparatus for processing a plurality of input signals. The method includes receiving or generating a first intermediate signal and a second intermediate signal. The first and second intermediate signals are summed and the summed signals are output to a signal analog-to-digital converter having a predetermined sampling frequency.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/955,130, filed Jul. 31, 2013, the entire content is incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments described herein relate generally to using ananalog-to-digital converter for multiple input signals.

BACKGROUND

One of the biggest pieces of real-estate in a silicon chip is theanalog-to-digital converter (A/D). For example, in the case of receivingout-of-band (OOB) and forward application transport (FAT) channels in acable network, a dedicated A/D is utilized for each channel. This notonly increases the silicon chip size, but also increases implementationcost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to reducing thenumber of A/Ds required to process multiple input signals. Further,certain embodiments of the present disclosure address the problem ofincreased chip size and/or implementation cost, for example, asdescribed above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendantadvantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes betterunderstood by reference to the following detailed description whenconsidered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary signal processing apparatus;

FIG. 2 illustrates a flow diagram of an exemplary method performed bythe signal processing apparatus;

FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate exemplary signal providers;

FIG. 4 illustrates a signal processing apparatus according to a firstexemplary application;

FIGS. 5-6 illustrate exemplary frequency spectrums related to the firstapplication;

FIGS. 7-8 illustrates exemplary frequency spectrums related to a secondexemplary application; and

FIG. 9 is an exemplary computer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the present disclosure is susceptible of embodiment in manydifferent forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein bedescribed in detail specific embodiments, with the understanding thatthe present disclosure of such embodiments is to be considered as anexample of the principles and not intended to limit the presentdisclosure to the specific embodiments shown and described. In thedescription below, like reference numerals are used to describe thesame, similar or corresponding parts in the several views of thedrawings.

The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or more thanone. The term “plurality”, as used herein, is defined as two or morethan two. The term “another”, as used herein, is defined as at least asecond or more. The terms “including” and/or “having”, as used herein,are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled”, asused herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly,and not necessarily mechanically. The term “program” or “computerprogram” or similar terms, as used herein, is defined as a sequence ofinstructions designed for execution on a computer system. A “program”,or “computer program”, may include a subroutine, a program module, ascript, a function, a procedure, an object method, an objectimplementation, in an executable application, an applet, a servlet, asource code, an object code, a shared library/dynamic load libraryand/or other sequence of instructions designed for execution on acomputer system.

Reference throughout this document to “one embodiment”, “certainembodiments”, “an embodiment”, “an implementation”, “an example” orsimilar terms means that a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiment is includedin at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, theappearances of such phrases or in various places throughout thisspecification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics maybe combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments withoutlimitation.

The term “or” as used herein is to be interpreted as an inclusive ormeaning any one or any combination. Therefore, “A, B or C” means “any ofthe following: A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B and C”. Anexception to this definition will occur only when a combination ofelements, functions, steps or acts are in some way inherently mutuallyexclusive.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to reducing thenumber of A/Ds needed in a signal processing apparatus to processmultiple input signals. The signal processing apparatus may be used forany digital demodulation method and implemented in any system which cantake in two or more analog signals and process them digitally, such asin a television, set top box, cable modem, satellite receiver, cellularphone, etc. As further described below, exemplary applications includeOpen Cable specification signals and channel bonding.

Embodiments of the present disclosure utilize strategic placement ofsignal provider output signals (e.g., tuner output signals) and theirintermediate frequencies (IF) with respect to sampling frequency (Fs) ofan A/D to sub-sample at least two output signals with one A/D. Oncesampled, filters (e.g., low-pass and band-pass filters) separate out thesignals or, for example, allow for combining them in a digitaldemodulator (e.g., channel bonding).

In one example, all signal provider output signals are sub-sampled witha single A/D. In another example, the signal provider output signals aredivided into groups, with each group being sub-sampled by a differentA/D.

Although use of the same A/D for more than one input signal requiresadditional components (e.g., band-pass and low-pass filters), at leastone of the size and the cost of the ADC typically outweighs those of theadditional components. It should be noted that the embodiments disclosedherein may be applied even when implementation cost and chip size arenot lowered, for example, when a simple reduction in the number of A/Dsis desired.

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure are described with respectto the television environment, such as televisions which accept cableand/or terrestrial signals. Channel bonding is present in cable systemstoday and could benefit from utilizing the embodiments described herein.Further, some standards bodies are considering channel bonding forterrestrial use as well.

Although certain embodiments are described using FAT and OOB channels,as well as channel bonding of terrestrial 8-level vestigial sidebandmodulation (8-VSB), as examples, in the television environment,embodiments of the present disclosure are applicable to any digitalcommunication system with large downstream throughput. Typical usescases in the United States have 6 MHz channels, however, scaling can beapplied to any channel size depending on the application.

Many systems today use multiple frequencies, or channels, to sendinformation. FIG. 1 illustrate an exemplary signal processing apparatus10 configured to receive a radio frequency (RF) input. The signalprocessing apparatus 10 include a first signal provider 15, a secondsignal provider 25, a summing unit 35 (e.g., a combiner), an A/D 45, afirst filter 55, and a second filter 65.

Although FIG. 1 only illustrates a certain number of each component, itshould be noted that any number of each of the components may beincluded in the signal processing apparatus 10. For example, the signalprocessing apparatus 10 can include three or more signal providers thatprovide intermediate frequency signals to the summing unit 35. In thisexample, three separate filters separate out the output from the A/D 45into respective processed signals. Further, although the same RF input(e.g., including OOB and FAT channels) is received by the first andsecond signal providers 15, 25 in FIG. 1, it should be noted that thefirst and second signal providers 15, 25 can receive different inputs.

The first and second signal providers 15, 25 are configured to receiveor generate first and second intermediate signals, respectively, thatare strategically placed in relation to each other based on factors suchas sampling frequency (Fs) of the A/D, filter roll-offs, etc. In certainembodiments, the first and second intermediate signals are placedbetween Fs and 2Fs on the frequency spectrum, in a non-overlappingmanner, such that the sampling of Fs spectrally folds down channelsassociated with the first and second intermediate signals between −Fsand 0 Hz. Alternatively, for spectral inversion, the desired signalcould be from 0 Hz to Fs Hz.

Specifically, in certain embodiments, the first and second intermediatesignals are placed between 1.5Fs and 2Fs and the digital sampling of Fsspectrally folds down channels associated with the first and secondintermediate signals between −0.5Fs and 0 Hz, or between 0.5Fs and Fs.In other embodiments, the first and second intermediate signals areplaced between 0.5Fs and Fs. Placing the first and second intermediatesignals between 0.5Fs and Fs allows for direct sampling instead ofband-pass sampling.

It should be noted that the first and second intermediate signals,and/or the desired signal, may be placed/sampled at other frequencyintervals of Fs or 0.5Fs (e.g., defined by [x−1]Fs to xFs or [x−0.5]Fsto xFs, where x is any numerical value except 0).

The distance between the first and second intermediate signals can beset according to reasonable roll-off factor requirements for the firstand second filters 55, 65. Exemplary reasonable roll-off factors are0.15 and above for easy implementation.

As described above, the center frequencies of the signal provideroutputs are strategically placed to properly align them in concert withthe Fs of the A/D. For example, intermediate frequencies (IF) fromtuners are strategically placed to allow simple demodulation of twosignals with one A/D. Further, in certain embodiments, the A/D is atleast capable of supporting the maximum number of effective bits neededamong the received channels.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a method performed by the signal processingapparatus 10 to perform analog-to-digital conversion on multiple inputsignals. At step S202, the first signal provider 15 receives orgenerates a first intermediate signal. For example, the first signalprovider 15 extracts one of a plurality of RF input signals, generatesthe first intermediate signal based on the Fs of the A/D 45 and a centercarrier frequency of the one of the plurality of RF input signals, andoutputs the extracted one of the plurality of RF input signals to thesumming unit 35. The extracted one of the plurality of RF input signalsand/or generated first intermediate signal is optionally amplified. Inanother example, the first signal provider 15 receives an RF inputsignal that has the same center carrier frequency as the firstintermediate signal.

At step S204, the second signal provider 25 receives or generates asecond intermediate signal. For example, the second signal provider 25extracts a different one of the plurality of RF input signals, generatesthe second intermediate signal based on the Fs of the A/D 45 and acenter carrier frequency of the different one of the plurality of RFinput signals, and outputs the extracted different one of the pluralityof RF input signals to the summing unit 35. The extracted different oneof the plurality of RF input signals and/or generated secondintermediate signal is optionally amplified. In another example, thesecond signal provider 25 receives a different RF input signal that hasthe same center carrier frequency as the second intermediate signal.

At step S206, the summing unit 35 sums the first and second intermediatesignals and outputs the summed signals to the A/D 45. The A/D 45performs analog-to-digital conversion on the summed first and secondintermediate signals and outputs first and second processed signals,which correspond to the first and second intermediate signals,respectively.

At step S208, the first filter 55 extracts the first processed signalfrom the output of the A/D 45. Further, at step S210, the second filter65 extracts the second processed signal from the output of the A/D 45.The extracted first and second processed signals are further processed(e.g., demodulated in a digital demodulation process). Exemplary digitaldemodulation processes include Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM)demodulation for cable and Phase Shift Keying (PSK) demodulation forsatellite.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate exemplary signal providers. As illustrated inFIG. 3A, a signal provider 300 (e.g., a tuner) includes a tunableband-pass filter 302, a mixer 304, and a local oscillator 306 (e.g., atunable local oscillator such as a numerically controlled oscillator).FIG. 3B illustrates a signal provider 350 which includes a band-passfilter 352 (e.g., configured to pass through the OOB channel), mixer354, and a local oscillator 356 (e.g., a fixed local oscillator).Further, one or more of the signal providers 300, 350 optionally includeAutomatic Gain Controls (AGC), for example to protect against overload(e.g., IP3 points).

FIG. 4 illustrates a signal processing apparatus 400, which is a firstexemplary application of the signal processing apparatus 10. The signalprocessing apparatus 400 is configured to process OOB and FAT channelsprovided by a cable operator according to the Open Cable specification(e.g., ANSI/SCTE 07 2006 for FAT, ANSI/SCTE 55-1 2002 or ANSI/SCTE 33-22002 for OOB, and ANSI/SCTE 40 2004 for RF signals, which areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety). The OOB channelcarries a signal used by cable operators for control in a cabletelevision system. Receivers need this information to properly accessdata, and sometimes keys used to unlock protected data. This OOB contentcan be considered a second download channel which needs to be decoded.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the signal processing apparatus 400 includesan FAT channel tuner 410, an FAT IF strip 420, a OOB channel tuner 430,a OOB IF strip 440, an RF summing unit 450, an A/D 460, a low-passfilter 470, and a band-pass filter 480. In one example, the FAT channeltuner 410 is implemented in accordance with the signal provider 300illustrated in FIG. 3A, and the OOB channel tuner 420 is implemented inaccordance with the signal provider 350 in FIG. 3B. In another example,the FAT channel 410 and the OOB channel tuner 420 are both implementedaccording to the signal provider 300 illustrated in FIG. 3A.

The FAT channel tuner 410 generates an FAT intermediate signal, and theOOB channel tuner 430 generates a OOB intermediate signal. Further, theIF strip 420, optionally amplifies and/or filters the FAT intermediatesignal, and the IF strip 440 optionally amplifies and/or filters the OOBintermediate signal. The FAT and OOB intermediate signals aresubsequently input into the RF summing unit 450 and then the A/D 460.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary frequency spectrum utilized by thesignal processing apparatus 400. As illustrated in FIG. 5, intermediatefrequency signals corresponding to the FAT and OOB channels are placedin a manner that allows use of one A/D 460 and a tuner with a 43.75 MHzcenter intermediate frequency (IF) output to apply a simpledown-conversion to baseband of the Open Cable specification OOB and FATsignals. Band-pass sampling is optionally used to have low frequencyspurs.

The OOB channel is strategically placed in relation to the FAT channelto allow processing by the A/D 460. The FAT channel is placed at2Fs−Fs/4 so that the sampling of Fs spectrally folds down the FATchannel to −Fs/4. With the FAT channel placed at this position, there isa simple multiplication by an Fs/4 cosine wave to shift the FAT channelup to baseband for processing. The multiplication of a cosine wave thatis ¼ of the sampling rate translates to multiplication of +1, 0, −1, 0,+1 . . . which is an easy negating and passing through of the samples.

The OOB channel is placed at 2Fs−Fs/16 to avoid a need for two separateA/Ds. This is exactly ¼ of the placement of the FAT channel. Thisresults in placement of the OOB channel at −Fs/16 when band-pass sampledby Fs.

In another implementation, a system clock of the OOB channel tuner 430is set to ¼ of the system clock of the FAT channel tuner 410 whichresults in the same advantages (e.g., multiplying by a ¼ cosine waveformfrom the OOB receiver system clock). This makes the structure of the FATchannel tuner 410 and the OOB channel tuner 430 look alike and enableseasy implementation.

The low-pass filter 470 extracts the OOB signal out of the output by theA/D 460. The band-pass filter 480 extracts the FAT channel out of theA/D 460 output. The low-pass filter 470 and band-pass filter 480 areimplemented digitally according to certain embodiments For example, theaddition of two digital filters would use up less silicon than a secondA/D.

To support 256-QAM, over 8.5 effective bits are needed in the FATchannel. To support good filtering of the incoming combination signals,6 effective bits are needed in the OOB channel. Accordingly, in oneembodiment, an A/D of at least 8.5 bits (e.g., a 10-bit A/D) could beused for both channels As illustrated in FIG. 4, the A/D 460 output issplit and input into the low-pass filter 470 and the band-pass filter480.

The low-pass filter 470 and band-pass filter 480 separating the outputof the A/D 360 may need tight constraints. The separation between thesignals depends on which mode the OOB downstream is operating in. FIG. 6illustrates an example of the separation between the two channels.

For example, using the Digital Video Subcommittee (DVS) 178Specification, which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety, the maximum bandwidth of the OOB channel is 1.544 MHz tosupport the 3.088 Mbps signal baud rate (Rs). The FAT channel has amaximum bandwidth for 256-QAM of 5.380531 MHz (5.056491 MHz for 64-QAM).

Using these maximum bandwidths and a sampling frequency (Fs) of 25 MHz,the highest intermediate frequency from a tuner in the FAT channel is46.4402655 MHz (i.e., 2*25−25/4 MHz=43.75 MHz center; baud rate of256-QAM/2=2.6902655 MHz, yielding the top intermediate frequency from atuner of 43.75+2.6902655 MHz=46.4402655 MHz). For the OOB channel, thecenter IF is placed at 2Fs−Fs/16=48.4375 MHz (i.e., 2*25−25/16MHz=48.4375 MHz).

The lowest frequency of the OOB is 48.4375−Rs/2=47.6655. The differencebetween these channels is then 47.6655−46.4402655=1.2252345 MHz. Theroll-off factor for each of the filters is determined based on a ratiobetween the difference of 1.2252345 MHz and the respective maximumchannel bandwidths (e.g., 5.380531 MHz for the FAT channel, 1.544 MHzfor the OOB channel).

Accordingly, there is a roll-off factor of 0.2277162 or about 23% forthe FAT channel band-pass filter, which is a constraint that can easilybe met by a digital filter. The low-pass filter has the same roll-offfactor, but the cutoff frequency is tuned to allow the full OOB signalto pass through. However, the band-pass and low-pass filters may havedifferent roll-off factors in other embodiments. These two digitalfilters are typically smaller than a second A/D, so the compromisebetween using two A/Ds versus two digital filters pays off, for examplewith respect to chip size.

The filter for the OOB can be a low-pass filter because there is nothingbetween it and 0 Hz. However, a band-pass filter can alternatively beutilized. The FAT channel is band-pass filtered to cancel out the OOBsignal.

The real portions of the channel lie in the negative frequency rangeafter the band-pass sampling at IF. After the two signals are separated,the OOB and FAT receivers can operate as if there was no combining atall. For example, regular digital demodulation methods can be appliedwith no alterations.

Although channel bonding is a method currently standardized in cablesystems, it is also being considered for terrestrial systems. Theconcept is to utilize two or more channels to send information. Theembodiments disclosed herein are applicable to those systems as well.However, care must be taken to pack the two channels together in concertwith a sampling frequency of the single A/D which will make theoperation successful, for example, as described above with respect tothe first application.

In a second exemplary application, if the two channels are 6 MHz wide,one or a combination of the center IF frequencies, sampling frequency,filter roll-offs, etc., may need to be changed. For example, thesampling frequency may need to be increased.

To have even distribution in frequency between the channels, onesolution is illustrated in FIG. 7 with 8-VSB spectral samples and asampling frequency of 27 MHz. A benefit to this solution is that 27 MHzis the rate of a system clock for MPEG-2 Transport, which is alreadyimplemented today.

In FIG. 7, the distance between the channels is 0.5 MHz. Accordingly,the resultant required filtering is 0.5 MHz/Rs (i.e., 0.5 MHz/6MHz)=0.08333 or about an 8% roll-off, which is illustrated in FIG. 8.Although this exemplary application requires a tighter filter than thatin the first application described above, the filters are still expectedto be smaller in size than a second A/D (e.g., a second 10-bit A/D).

This second application is an example of how channel bonding can beimplemented in terrestrial systems. Although the numerically controlledoscillator (NCO) frequency shifting is no longer nice integer multiplesof the baud rate, a single A/D, or a reduced number of A/Ds, can stillbe used.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configurationof a computer 900 that can be configured to control the operation of anyof the signal processing apparatuses or processed described above.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, the computer 900 includes a central processingunit (CPU) 902, read only memory (ROM) 904, and a random access memory(RAM) 906 interconnected to each other via one or more buses 908. Theone or more buses 908 is further connected with an input-outputinterface 910. The input-output interface 910 is connected with an inputportion 912 formed by a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, remotecontroller, etc. The input-output interface 912 is also connected to aoutput portion 914 formed by an audio interface, video interface,display, speaker, etc.; a recording portion 916 formed by a hard disk, anon-volatile memory, etc.; a communication portion 918 formed by anetwork interface, modem, USB interface, fire wire interface, etc.; anda drive 920 for driving removable media 922 such as a magnetic disk, anoptical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a semiconductor memory, etc.

According to one embodiment, the CPU 902 loads one or more programsstored in the recording portion 916 into the RAM 906 via theinput-output interface 910 and the bus 908, and then executes a programconfigured to control the operation of any of the signal processingapparatuses or processed described above. The recording portion 916 isfor example a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. It isnoted that the term “non-transitory” is a limitation of the mediumitself (i.e., tangible, not a signal) as opposed to a limitation on datastorage persistency (e.g., RAM vs. ROM).

As noted above, embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toreducing the number of A/Ds required to process multiple input signals.By reducing the number of A/Ds, it is possible to lower at least one ofimplementation cost and chip size.

According to certain embodiments of the present disclosure, not only canchannels be combined but filters can be individually controlled to turnon/off the functionality of channel combining (e.g., signal is presentor not). This also allows for less power to be used as only one A/D isin operation. Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a low costway to implement channel bonding functions.

As described above, one of the biggest pieces of real-estate in asilicon chip is the A/D. Some systems are even using 4096-quadratureamplitude modulation (QAM) which requires a 12 or 14-bit A/D. That onlyincreases the size and cost of these A/Ds and, depending on the timingaccuracy needed, the sampling frequency could be quite high.

Further, some cable operators now use channel bonding (e.g., DOCSIS 3.0,which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety) optionsavailable to increase data download speeds, by increasing throughput, togain fast download of content. To support this, two tuners and two A/Dsalong with two demodulators are utilized. Thus, the cost ofimplementation is high. The present disclosure provide a newarchitecture for reducing this cost. Further, even if channel bonding isnot used, there is an out-of-band (OOB) signal used by cable operatorsfor control of the system, as described above.

Although embodiments of the present disclosure are discussed withrespect to channels in a cable television network or terrestrialbroadcasts, the present disclosure is applicable to other RF signalssuch as radio station broadcasts, satellite broadcasts, and any otherdigital communication method such as those with large downstreamthroughputs.

The various processes discussed above need not be processedchronologically and/or in the sequence depicted as flowcharts; the stepsmay also include those processed in parallel or individually (e.g., inparalleled or object-oriented fashion).

Also, the programs may be processed by a single computer or by aplurality of computers on a distributed basis. The programs may also betransferred to a remote computer or computers for execution.

Furthermore, in this specification, the term “system” means an aggregateof a plurality of component elements (apparatuses, modules (parts),etc.). All component elements may or may not be housed in a singleenclosure. Therefore, a plurality of apparatuses each housed in aseparate enclosure and connected via a network are considered a system,and a single apparatus formed by a plurality of modules housed in asingle enclosure are also regarded as a system.

Also, it should be understood that this technology when embodied is notlimited to the above-described embodiments and that variousmodifications, variations and alternatives may be made of thistechnology so far as they are within the spirit and scope thereof.

Also, each of the steps explained in reference to the above-describedflowcharts may be executed not only by a single apparatus but also by aplurality of apparatuses in a shared manner.

Furthermore, if one step includes a plurality of processes, theseprocesses included in the step may be performed not only by a singleapparatus but also by a plurality of apparatuses in a shared manner.

Numerous modifications and variations of the present disclosure arepossible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to beunderstood that within the scope of the appended claims, the presentdisclosure may be practiced otherwise than as specifically describedherein.

The above disclosure also encompasses the embodiments noted below.

(1) A method of a signal processing apparatus for processing a pluralityof input signals, the method including receiving or generating a firstintermediate signal; receiving or generating a second intermediatesignal; summing the first and second intermediate signals; andoutputting the summed first and second intermediate signals into asingle analog-to-digital converter (A/D) having a predetermined samplingfrequency (Fs).

(2) The method of feature (1), in which the first and secondintermediate signals are generated based on the Fs.

(3) The method of feature (1) or (2), in which the step of receiving orgenerating a first intermediate signal includes receiving an RF inputincluding a plurality of RF signals; extracting one of the plurality ofRF signals; and generating the first intermediate signal based on the Fsand a center carrier frequency of the one of the plurality of RFsignals.

(4) The method of any of features (1) to (3), in which the step ofreceiving or generating a second intermediate signal includes receivingan RF input including a plurality of RF signals; extracting a differentone of the plurality of RF signals; and generating the secondintermediate signal based on the Fs and a center carrier frequency ofthe different one of the plurality of RF signals.

(5) The method of feature (3) or (4), in which the extracted one of theplurality of RF signals is carried in a forward application transport(FAT) channel.

(6) The method of feature (4) to (5), in which the extracted differentone of the plurality of RF signals is carried in an out-of-band (OOB)channel.

(7) The method of any of features (1) to (6), in which the firstintermediate signal has a center frequency of 2Fs−Fs/4, and the secondintermediate signal has a center frequency of 2Fs−Fs/16.

(8) The method of any of features (1) to (7), further includingextracting, by a first filter, a first processed signal representing thefirst intermediate signal output by the A/D; and extracting, by a secondfilter, a second processed signal representing the second intermediatesignal output by the A/D.

(9) The method of any of feature (1) to (8), in which at least one ofthe first and second intermediate signals corresponds to a digitaltelevision signal.

(10) A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having embeddedtherein instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause theprocessor to control a signal processing apparatus to perform the methodof any of features (1) to (9).

(11) A signal processing apparatus, including a first signal providerconfigured to receive or generate a first intermediate signal; a secondsignal provider configured to receive or generate a second intermediatesignal; a combiner configured to sum the first and second intermediatesignals; and a single analog-to-digital converter (A/D) having apredetermined sampling frequency (Fs), the single A/D being configuredto perform analog-to-digital conversion of the summed first and secondintermediate signals.

(12) The signal processing apparatus of feature (11), in which the firstand second intermediate signals are generated based on the Fs.

(13) The signal processing apparatus of feature (11) or (12), in whichthe first signal provider is configured to receive an RF input includinga plurality of RF signals, extract one of the plurality of RF signals,and generate the first intermediate signal based on the Fs and a centercarrier frequency of the one of the plurality of RF signals.

(14) The signal processing apparatus of any of features (11) to (13), inwhich the second signal provider is configured to receive an RF inputincluding a plurality of RF signals, extract a different one of theplurality of RF signals, and generate the second intermediate signalbased on the Fs and a center carrier frequency of the different one ofthe plurality of RF signals.

(15) The signal processing apparatus of feature (13) or (14), in whichthe extracted one of the plurality of RF signals is carried in a forwardapplication transport (FAT) channel.

(16) The signal processing apparatus of feature (14) or (15), in whichthe extracted different one of the plurality of RF signals is carried inan out-of-band (OOB) channel.

(17) The signal processing apparatus of any of features (11) to (16), inwhich the first intermediate signal has a center frequency of 2Fs−Fs/4,and the second intermediate signal has a center frequency of 2Fs−Fs/16.

(18) The signal processing apparatus of any of features (11) to (17),further including a first filter configured to receive the convertedsummed first and second intermediate signals, and output a firstprocessed signal representing the first intermediate signal output bythe A/D; and a second filter configured to receive the converted summedfirst and second intermediate signals, and output a second processedsignal representing the second intermediate signal output by the A/D.

(19) The signal processing apparatus of any of features (11) to (18), inwhich at least one of the first and second intermediate signalscorresponds to a digital television signal.

1-19. (canceled)
 20. A method of a signal processing apparatus forprocessing a plurality of signals, the method comprising: receiving anoutput signal from a single analog-to-digital converter (A/D);extracting, by circuitry of the signal processing apparatus, a firstsignal from the output signal; extracting, by the circuitry, a secondsignal from the same output signal; demodulating, by the circuitry, thefirst signal extracted from the output signal; and demodulating, by thecircuitry, the second signal extracted from the same output signal. 21.The method according to claim 20, wherein the first signal correspondsto a third signal carried in a forward application transport (FAT)channel, and the second signal corresponds to a fourth signal carried inan out-of-band (OOB) channel.
 22. The method according to claim 20,further comprising: summing first and second intermediate signals, whichcorrespond to the first and second signal respectively; and outputtingthe summed first and second intermediate signals into the single A/D.23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the first and secondintermediate signals are associated with different channels placedwithin a predetermined sampling frequency (Fs) of the A/D, in anon-overlapping manner, such that the sampling of Fs spectrally foldsdown the channels associated with the first and second signals between−Fs and 0 Hz or 0 Hz to Fs on the frequency spectrum.
 24. The methodaccording to claim 22, wherein the first and second intermediate signalsare associated with different channels placed within half of apredetermined sampling frequency (Fs) of the A/D, in a non-overlappingmanner, such that the sampling of Fs spectrally folds down the channelsassociated with the first and second signals between −0.5Fs and 0 Hz or0.5Fs and Fs on the frequency spectrum
 25. The method according to claim22, further comprising: receiving an RF input including a plurality ofRF signals; extracting one of the plurality of RF signals; andgenerating the first intermediate signal based on the Fs and a centercarrier frequency of the one of the plurality of RF signals.
 26. Themethod according to claim 25, further comprising: receiving the RF inputincluding the plurality of RF signals; extracting a different one of theplurality of RF signals; and generating the second intermediate signalbased on the Fs and a center carrier frequency of the different one ofthe plurality of RF signals.
 27. The method according to claim 22,wherein the first intermediate signal has a center frequency of2Fs−Fs/4, and the second intermediate signal has a center frequency of2Fs−Fs/16.
 28. The method according to claim 22, wherein at least one ofthe first and second intermediate signals corresponds to a digitaltelevision signal.
 29. A non-transitory computer-readable storage mediumhaving embedded therein instructions which, when executed by aprocessor, cause the processor to control a signal processing apparatusto perform a method comprising: receiving an output signal from a singleanalog-to-digital converter (A/D); extracting a first signal from theoutput signal; extracting a second signal from the same output signal;demodulating the first signal extracted from the output signal; anddemodulating the second signal extracted from the same output signal.30. A signal processing apparatus, comprising: circuitry configured toreceive an output signal from a single analog-to-digital converter(A/D); extract a first signal from the output signal; extract a secondsignal from the same output signal; demodulate the first signalextracted from the output signal; and demodulate the second signalextracted from the same output signal.
 31. The apparatus according toclaim 30, wherein the first signal corresponds to a third signal carriedin a forward application transport (FAT) channel, the second signalcorresponds to a fourth signal carried in an out-of-band (OOB) channel.32. The apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the circuitry isfurther configured to: sum first and second intermediate signals, whichcorrespond to the first and second signal respectively; and output thesummed first and second intermediate signals into the single A/D. 33.The apparatus according to claim 32, wherein the first and secondintermediate signals are associated with different channels placedwithin a predetermined sampling frequency (Fs) of the A/D, in anon-overlapping manner, such that the sampling of Fs spectrally foldsdown the channels associated with the first and second signals between−Fs and 0 Hz or 0 Hz to Fs on the frequency spectrum.
 34. The apparatusaccording to claim 32, wherein the first and second intermediate signalsare associated with different channels placed within half of apredetermined sampling frequency (Fs) of the A/D, in a non-overlappingmanner, such that the sampling of Fs spectrally folds down the channelsassociated with the first and second signals between −0.5Fs and 0 Hz or0.5Fs and Fs on the frequency spectrum
 35. The apparatus according toclaim 32, wherein the circuitry is further configured to: receive an RFinput including a plurality of RF signals; extract one of the pluralityof RF signals; and generate the first intermediate signal based on theFs and a center carrier frequency of the one of the plurality of RFsignals.
 36. The apparatus according to claim 35, wherein the circuitryis further configured to: receive the RF input including the pluralityof RF signals; extract a different one of the plurality of RF signals;and generate the second intermediate signal based on the Fs and a centercarrier frequency of the different one of the plurality of RF signals.37. The apparatus according to claim 32, wherein the first intermediatesignal has a center frequency of 2Fs−Fs/4, and the second intermediatesignal has a center frequency of 2Fs−Fs/16.
 38. The apparatus accordingto claim 32, wherein at least one of the first and second intermediatesignals corresponds to a digital television signal.